Amber Lynn (Vallo) Sellers

Amber L. Sellers, age 52, of Albuquerque, NM, tragically passed away on Saturday, November 19, 2022, due to injuries suffered in an automobile accident in Sandoval County, NM. True to her fighting spirit and infinite commitment to remain the rock of her beloved family and the glue tethering the relationships of an infinite number of friends and colleagues across the country, she fought valiantly until the very end. We are certain that she will never let those on the other side hear the end of it for taking her from us too soon.

An inquisitive, brilliant child, Amber was born May 31, 1970, in Melrose Park, IL., and it was there, growing up with many special aunts, uncles, and cousins that she first began displaying her amazing sense of humor, incredible quick wit, and her beautiful laugh that was nothing less than infectious.

Amber moved with her parents to Taos, NM, at age 8 in 1978. It was there she met her first two best friends, her dogs, "Cookie" and "Snookie", whom she spoke of often and remembered fondly.

After graduating from Taos High School in 1988, Amber set sail for Las Cruces, NM, where she attended and graduated from New Mexico State University in 1993 with a B.A. in Psychology. True to her kind soul and concern for others, she used her gift for understanding and compassion to help those around her in their times of need, hardship, and sorrow.

Soon after graduation from NMSU, Amber landed one of her most prestigious positions when she went to work as a NASA contractor in support of the Space Shuttle Mission Program at White Sands Missile Range. She earned numerous accolades and awards for her work while giving her family and friends even more reasons to brag about her.

It was while with NASA in 1996 that, in the earliest days of internet connectivity, she met online the love of her life and her future husband, Michael. Amber, living in NM, and Michael, living in VA, struck up a chance conversation in a public chat. After months of countless hours of daily typing, conversations and sharing, Michael moved to NM to be with Amber, and the burgeoning best-friendship and love affair was ignited.

In 1999, Amber and Michael moved to Las Vegas, NV, to continue their adventure. Amber quickly made her mark in the casino industry by first taking over and handling Catering and Events for The Reserve Hotel & Casino before then moving over to the Showboat Hotel & Casino where she managed the daily operations of the entire Hotel Reservations system.

The marriage of best friends and soulmates occurred on September 20, 2001, when Amber and Michael walked down the aisle in Las Vegas surrounded by numerous family and friends from across the country. The following year on June 24, 2002, together they welcomed the other "boy" in Amber's life, their son, Tyler. For the rest of her life, Amber's pride and joy was her family, "her boys", as she unconditionally and unselfishly supported and led them through the many highs and few difficulties in their lives. Her steady hand, giving heart, and beautiful soul raised them all to unbelievable heights while always being there to catch them and to comfort them if they fell.

By 2006 Amber and family returned to New Mexico to be closer to additional family and to provide more opportunities for son, Tyler. Settling in Albuquerque, Amber began her career work in the healthcare industry and quickly began making her mark. She first began with Tri-Core Labs, then with ABQ Health Partners before moving up yet again and taking over Contract writing at UNM Health Services. Her amazing work and talents while with UNM brought her to the respected and relied upon forefront of many in the field and caught the attention of Humana, which she proudly elevated to in 2021.

Over the years, Amber's amazing work ethic, strong commitment, and unmatched creativity elevated her career ladder several steps at a time. For Amber, it wasn't about the accolades and recognition that inevitably and always came her way. Instead, it was about elevating, protecting, and providing for what was always her most important aspect and joy of life, her family. Unbeknownst to her, she had long ago achieved the ultimate goal in being the unbreakable foundation upon which her family was built and thrived. Only one other aspect escaped her in life; the knowledge of the immense impact and profound effect she had on the immeasurable number of people she came into contact with over her time with us. Amber's love, care, compassion, and friendship were there to help those in need while never being for the purpose of acknowledgment nor recognition. So sweet and unassuming, she never had an inkling of the countless people who counted her as a special friend throughout her fulfilling life.

Left to mourn her passing are husband, Michael H. Sellers, and son, Tyler H. Sellers, both at the home in Albuquerque; her parents, Daniel and Kathleen (Jackson) Vallo of Taos, NM; father-in-law and stepmother-in-law, Dennis and Kay Sellers of Churchville, VA; mother-in-law, Nancy Berry of Fork Union, VA; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Andrea Hull and husband, Chris, of Churchville, VA; aunts, Iva Vallo of Southaven, MS; Roberta Vallo of Naperville, IL; and Ranee Roach of Rochester Hills, MI; and special cousins, Victor Vallo of Prescott, AZ; Garry Vallo of Lombard, IL; Theresa Vallo White of Southaven, MS; Annette Vallo Nocek of Lombard, IL; Anthony Vallo of Naperville, IL; Rick Vallo of Downers Grove, IL; Jimmie Roach of Rochester Hills, MI; Corrin Roach Barnett of Rochester Hills, MI.

The family would also like to thank Amber's special friend, the other 'pea in the pod', Catherine Sierra, for her love, care, and support during this time of grief.

The family would also like to thank the Humana family and Amber's wonderful friends, peers, and colleagues for the amazing outpouring of compassion and assistance.

Per Amber's wishes, her body was cared for by New Mexico Donor Services so that she could both give life and help save life as her last earthly acts.

Per Amber's wishes as well, she will be cremated and brought home to family.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at FRENCH - Westside.